Pruning implement



(No Model.)

J. G. BUBAGH.

PRUNING IMPLEMENT. I No. 317,716. Patented May 12, 1885.

NITE

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GARHART BUBAOH, OF PRINCETON, ILLINOIS.

PRUNING IMPLEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,716, dated May 12, 18185.

Application filed January 15, 1885.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern: 7 Beit known that I, J OHN G. BUBAOH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Princeton, in the county of Bureau and State v of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pruning-Shears and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved pruning-shears, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the spring detached.

The same letters refer to the same parts in both thefigures.

This invention relates to pruning-shears and other similar implements in which it is desirable to keep the handles apart so as to enable the jaws to beoperated by pressure upon the said handles, and my present invention relates, principally, toanimproved construction of the spring used for this purpose, which may be described as being an improvement on the patent granted to myself, No. 298,548, dated May 13, 1884. In the patent referred to the spring is formed by an annular rubber ring interposed between the handles of the implement, and connected therewith by means of adjustable sleeves. My present improvement has mainly in view to add to the tensile strength and durability of the said rubber spring without adding materially to its size or weight. These results are effected by the improved construction and arrangement of parts, which willbe hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A A designate the handles of my improved shears, which are connected pivotally at B, and provided above the pivoting-point with cutting jaws G G of ordinary construction. The outer sides of the handles A A may be provided with the usual projections, D D, adapting them to fit the hand of the operator.

E designates the spring, which consists of an annular band or ring of rubber having a transverse diametrical brace, F, of the same material. This spring may be molded or stamped from a sheet of rubber, or manufactured in any other suitable or convenient man- (No model.)

ner. The spring E is arranged between the handles A A of the shears and secured to the said handles by means of sleeves G G, adjustable by set-screws H H, so that the tension of the said spring may be regulated by adjusting it to a proper position. It will be noticed that the spring E will be so adjusted that its diametrical brace F will occupy a perpendicular position between the handles A A when the implement is held in an upright position, or parallel to the said handles when they are compressed.

When the handles are closed together, the spring will assume an elliptical or oval shape, as it, by being compressed laterally, will extend longitudinally against the tension of the diametrical brace, stretching the same, and it will be seen that the tension of this stretched brace will serve to aid in again contracting the spring longitudinally and extending it laterally, causing it to spread the handles apart. The tension of the stretched brace will be greatest when the handles are pressed close together, and it will be seen that the sides of the spring will at that time press against the sides of the brace and compress it laterally, so that the tension of the brace, as well as its lateral expansion, will assist in spreading the handles at the point when the greatest resistance is offered against opening them-via, when they have beenclosed tightly together-the surfaces of contact between the blades being the largest at that point, as, also, pieces of stem or splinters may have been caught between the blades and wedge them together.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-- The combination, with pruning-shears or a like implement, of a spring consisting of an annular rubber ring or band having a trans- 95 verse or diametrical brace, said spring being arranged between the handles of pruning-shears or a like implement, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 100 my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN GARHART BUBAGH.

Witnesses:

D. H. SMITH, A. M. SWENGEL. 

